Health Tips for October 15

Health Tip: Manage Pain Without Drugs

Pain-relieving medications offer relief for many people with sudden or chronic pain. But these drugs have their own risks and potential side effects.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this list of pain-relieving alternatives to medication:

• Applying heat.
• Applying ice or a cold compress.
• Massaging the area.
• Getting sufficient rest.
• Using relaxation techniques.
• Using biofeedback, which teaches you how to gain partial control over certain physiological processes, including blood pressure and heart rate.

Health Tip: Before You Take an NSAID

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly called NSAIDs, are medications that are often recommended for pain and inflammation. NSAIDs can be obtained by prescription or purchased over-the-counter. Examples include aspirin and ibuprofen.

Some people who take NSAIDs have side effects such as nausea, bleeding, ulcers or impaired kidney function, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says.

The academy says you should speak with your doctor before you take NSAIDs if you have any of these conditions:

• Being pregnant.
• Having asthma.
• Having high blood pressure.
• Having kidney or liver disease.
• Having had an ulcer.
• Being 65 or older.